Hilary Swank convinced by Conviction character

The actress portrays real-life mother and college drop-out Betty Ann Waters, who qualifies as a lawyer to fight to overturn her brother's unjust murder conviction, in the new movie and says she could understand her alter-ego's struggle.

Hilary - who grew up on a trailer park - said: "People who have come from nothing - like Betty Anne and me - you've always had to fight for what you have, so it's in your marrow.

"It's like, if you're going to do this, then you have to go after it. Nothing is given to you. And you don't even think about it like that. You don't even recognise it until later, when somebody points it out."

Hilary, 36, also claims she has never felt pressured to maintain a perfect appearance in order to secure the roles she wants.

She added: "I never really felt like there was an obligation, to show that I can be - and I say this in quotes - a 'pretty girl'. I mean, look at me."